Page 20 - Misconduct a Reference for Race Officials

RACING RULES GUIDANCE

CHANGES TO THE RACING RULES FROM JANUARY 2017

Introduction

This guidance highlights the main changes to the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) effective
from 1 January 2017. The changes include some minor edits which are solely for
clarification and are not detailed here. The changes in the RRS are side-lined, except in the
appendices.

This guidance is intended primarily for competitors, but will also be useful to race and protest
committees as well as other race officials. An addendum notes the main changes to the rule
that affect the preparation of notices of race and sailing instructions.
Competitors and officials involved in technical matters need to be aware that the Equipment
rules of Sailing (ERS) for 2017 contain significant changes from the previous version.
In 2016, the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) was rebranded as World Sailing. This
change has been implemented throughout the RRS.

Summary

The main changes to the RRS with effect from 1 January 2017 are
 Introduction: provision for a technical committee, to conduct equipment inspection
and event measurement, and for discretionary penalties.
 Responsibilities of competitors to accept the rules and to comply with new Betting &
Anti-Corruption and Disciplinary Codes.
 New definition of Support Person, together with a requirement for competitors to
ensure their support persons are aware of the rules and the possibility of a penalty
for a competitor whose support person breaks a rule.
 Rule 18.3, Tacking in the Zone, now only applies at marks to be rounded to port.

 Addition of U flag, a less harsh version of the black flag, to starting penalty options.
 Interested Party replaced by Conflict of Interest.
 Rule 69, Misconduct, rewritten. Scope of rule substantially extended.

 Addition of Appendix S, Standard Sailing Instructions, intended for use by clubs and
at small events.

DEFINITIONS
Conflict of Interest This new definition replaces the definition Interested Party and should
permit a more objective assessment of any possible conflict. See also rule 63.4.
Party This change adds to those who are Parties. It now includes a technical committee
when protesting a boat, a support person protested under rule 60.3(d), a person alleged to
have broken rule 69 and a person presenting an allegation under rule 69.

Rule Item (c) now permits prescriptions to be changed by the notice of race. However, the
RYA does not permit its prescriptions to be amended for events within its jurisdiction.

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